12 Questions for His Lordship, The Marquess of Caelthorne about His Bold New Series

 

1. What inspired you to create the Beautiful Depression series, and what message do you hope to convey?

I've been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety, (as was my beloved Mother) and have been on treatment now, for almost 6 years. I decided to dedicate a series to not just raise awareness about mental health illness, but also to tell a story. One of hope, and hopefully, have the art pieces speak holistically to those who view and acquire them, on a universal level - with relative subject matters and ignite a sense of self love and belonging.

2. How does this series differ from your previous works in terms of style, technique, or emotional depth? 

I previously almost always worked with monochrome colors, so as to lean on the viewer for their own interpretation of emotion - whatever the subject matter may have been. Beautiful Depression however is bold. It's big. It's full of color with rich textures and visible, strong brush strokes. The idea is to have the brush strokes remind of our "invisible cracks" but harmoniously put together that then form part of the beauty of the bigger artwork - in unison. I'm going more abstract with this series and the thick and rough texture and application of the paint, will be layered from the background to the first layer of the artwork - expressing deep emotions, that will speak in depth to the various layers of depression and anxiety.

3. Why did you choose the title "Beautiful Depression", and what does it symbolize?

To be honest, so far this is my most personal work. Depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, border line personality disorder and the rest of the spectrum, is intangible illnesses that can't be seen. It can't be touched. It can't be found on a scan. It can only be explained, and felt by those who carry heavy burdens, that eventually influences their mental health, to the extent where in some cases the outcome is of horrific and fatal circumstances. In many ways than one, these "demons" catches you on one day, and then it might be too late. I've chosen the series name based on the success story's of mental health illness survivors, who constantly battles on a daily basis with their mental health. Mental health comes in many ways, shapes and forms, it comes with many masked perceptions and it even comes with happiness and kindness. My aim is to inspire hope, that living with a mental health illness, is not a death sentence and it can be  treated. And once treated correctly, it can have a beautiful and powerful outcome.

4. Can you describe the artistic techniques and mediums used in this series?

For Beautiful Depression, I'll be using acrylic and oils on canvas - a vast opposite from my usual, signature medium, graphite on paper. The reason for the change in mediums and technique, is to not just evolve my own style and continuously improve on my artwork and artistic self as an artist, but also to ensure that the message of hope, love and beauty comes across from a different angle, with a different approach.

Significance & Impact

5. Mental health is a deeply personal and complex subject. How has your own perspective or experiences influenced this collection

I've recently gone through excessive treatment and therapy for delayed trauma disorder, which have manifested as far back as from some of my childhood years. The depth and darkness of the levels that I personally had to go into, has been so severe that I had to extend my treatment. I'm extremely grateful to my entire medical team for their unwavering support, care and kindness. The sensitivity, genuine care and compassion that they've displayed and ensured that I remain in a safe psychological space and environment while undergoing therapy, is without a doubt the main reason why I can openly and honestly talk about my own experience. Depression, anxiety, guilt, trauma... none of these should be overwhelming or even scary for that matter. I managed to come out on the other side and see the beauty again that was clouded by so much negativity, self doubt, anger, disappointment and then some, that even though I still have a lot of work to do, I've managed to break through the barriers and made the connection in terms of my own self-love, self-compassion and self-care. With the immense relief that one has and the realization that beauty can still be a proverbial beast, is what have been my driving force with this series. 

6. Each piece in "Beautiful Depression" tells a unique story. Can you share the meaning behind one or two specific artworks?

Meaning, creates the opportunity to have conversations about topics, that are still in some cases, not talked about. Societal norms and expectations, adds more pressure on us, on a daily basis. It's true that each piece in this series tells it's own unique story. If I share my side of the story, I'd have to kill you! It's more important that the eyes laid on the artwork, experience feelings of their own meaning, that it may confront them in a kind and compassionate way, so that they too can experience the beauty. It's a series of embarking on turning pain into power, and through each title of each piece, will it hopefully summarize my story. Yet, it's more important that this series ensures that conversations are started and new unique and successful stories be told and unfold moving forward.

7. How do you balance the raw, sometimes painful realities of mental illness with the themes of hope and resilience in your art?

By carrying on with my therapy! It's not at all an easy task. To take one's own experiences and open up about it, and then decide to showcase it in on a platform that may not even speak the truth to some. But that's the risk I'm willing to take as an artist. Not just to spark conversations and challenge the proverbial "status quo", but to attract emotion and feeling with the colorful, bold beauty first, and then drawing in the viewer for closer look. This is hopefully where the magic will happen and my artistic skill be tested. Because it's in this moment, that I wish for the expressive technique, the abstract subjects and layers of paint will tell a different story than the one from a far. This is the pivotal moment where hope and resilience should be relatable to the viewer. The human race is always scared and careful to open up about raw emotion, let alone talk about it. It's therefore such a wonderful and satisfying experience, to share my own raw, traumatic and painful experiences, in a beautiful piece of artwork. The challenge is not the balancing of the painful with the beautiful. The challenge is to ensure that my raw emotions, depicted whichever way, is relatable, relevant and sparks the viewer's own emotion. 

8. In what ways do you hope this series will contribute to the conversation about mental health awareness and advocacy?

I've made use of very specific subjects, to add to the topic of each artwork. I hope that this series will not just contribute in sparking conversations, but also be a catalyst for change. Mental Health in society, schools, the workplace, family, friends (the list goes on) can so very easily be mistaken for something it's not. You can have a best friend that you know as outgoing, fun and full of laughter. But when this same best friend one day talks to you about a serious matter without the fun, laughter and their expressive usual self - one of two things can happen: you either doubt the situation because you don't know your friend like this, or you overcompensate and try to make the situation full of fun and laughter again. However, behind the scenes your friend may have been struggling with this same topic/problem for quite some time - and it may have taken a lot of courage for them to talk to you about it... yet we ignore the signs. Because of ignorance in some cases, we don't see the real truth. We only see what we want to see. This is what I'll be challenging. Just because of beauty, grace and colorful subjects in this series, it shouldn't shy away from the real topics. My most precious outcome will be reached if Beautiful Depression keeps the conversation going, from different opinions and different angle's. Because when we keep the conversation going, we keep the awareness going.

The Role of The Lady Isabel Foundation

9. How does "Beautiful Depression" align with the mission of The Lady Isabel Foundation?

The Lady Isabel Foundation has three core pillars that it focuses on. One of them being Mental Health Illness from all spheres of society. For those of us fortunate enough to have proper medical care for example, gives us peace of mind and is it most comforting. There are millions of people out there in the world, who do not have these privileges, and I use the word privilege very carefully, because we also work hard for our privileges. Yet, in some clusters and areas of our immediate communities, the option to work is not an option. As there is no work. With The Lady Isabel Foundations' Mental Health campaigns, I hope to reach those who are too far out in our immediate communities, that is not able to take care of their own mental health. To reach out, to listen, to go out there and see what the needs are and look at how our objectives of The Foundation can make a possible difference.  

10. Where will the proceeds from this series go, and how will they be used to support mental health initiatives?

The Caelthorne motto of VIRTUS EX CAELO always guides my actions, and keeps me grounded. I have accepted the accountability by virtue of benevolence and commitment, and this is my moral compass to ensure I see through the responsibilities awarded to me with the honorary title. The proceeds of this series is earmarked for the support, treatment, assistance and social services of women and children that suffers from/suffered from domestic violence, and as a result has now have to deal with the unfortunate reality of mental health issues and illnesses, that almost always effects victims of abuse. Our state resources in South Africa are destitute, so the proceeds are going to make significant differences in the lives of others, ensuring ongoing support with victim's mental health and sustainably support ongoing care.

Caelthorne Art Exhibition & Audience Engagement

11. What can audiences expect from the exhibition experience? Will there be interactive or immersive elements?

I'm planning for the exhibition and final auction, to not just be an experience, but also a tale to tell afterwards. The artwork, will be immersive in its own right. There's no interactive elements, such as live installations, etc. But there is the possibility of interactively experiencing strong connections to the artworks, by taking the viewers, art lovers and collectors on a journey of distraught beauty and trauma that exhibits triumph!

12. How do you hope viewers will feel or react when they engage with this collection?

This is a question that scares any artist, I believe! I think sometimes what an artist aims for, might not even be remotely what the viewers experience. That's the beauty of creation. What I intend to convey with this series, is that no matter how dark and deep anyone's past have been, it doesn't define you as a person and who you are today. It does form part of your life, yes, but it doesn't have to be a burden. It can be the foundation for beauty, love, kindness, power and triumph. Everyone always says that you "have to let go of the past". I say no. Don't let go of the past - BUT let go of the unimaginable guilt, disappointment, sadness, unhappiness, and every other demon that holds you back, because of the past, from living your best life. I won't say that we should all embrace our terrible pasts - but, we can learn to live with it, without it being chained to us and bring us down further. Most of the time letting go, is so much less painful, than holding on. It's the fear of letting go, that makes us hold onto whatever it is that we think makes us who we are. It's not. I hope that this series will ignite the viewers' feelings of emotions, small, tender and vulnerable which may have been forgotten - and in that mixed emotional turmoil, find the courage to see their own true selves again, and remember again who they are. If I can get this right, even just with one viewer, then this series and exhibition and auction will be a raging success! 

**Beautiful Depression is currently in production and not finalized. We will announce once the series is ready for exhibition and auction - Caelthorne Press.